Brand New To The Industry Looking For Some Advice

[algonzo18]

So I am an 18 year old college student who is really looking to start my own window cleaning business and then branch off into the whole residential and commercial industry as I get older and wiser. With it being tax returns season I am going to invest in some supplies to start my own window cleaning business but I can only start with store fronts and possibly some residential but only smaller houses because I will be running this out of my small car with no ladder. I was hoping some of you professionals would be willing to give me some advice on starting up my own window cleaning business along with some “Do’s & Dont’s” when first beginning.

[HBM]

Hello Alberto and welcome to the forum!

[Samuel]

Welcome!

@algonzo18

“Do’s & Dont’s” when first beginning.

Do: Use the search function and read topics on WCR every day.

Dont: Argue with experienced industry veterans, ask for advice, then dismiss the advice out of hand, lie, beg for help, lie some more, argue, then wrap your Honda civic with a bubble man logo to prove you’re the only one who knows anything about anything.

[Infinity]

@algonzo18

but I can only start with store fronts and possibly some residential but only smaller houses because I will be running this out of my small car with no ladder.

You would be surprised at what can be done with a small car. I worked out of compact sedans for the first 5 years of business, and still use a compact ‘wagon’. I’ve been primarily residential the whole time. I have a vehicle mounted WFP system and a small utility trailer for power washing. Don’t knock your small car

[wcs]

Welcome to the forum.

[TheWindowCleanse]

@Samuel

wrap your Honda civic with a bubble man logo to prove you’re the only one who knows anything about anything.

Or Bubble Guy too.

Do:

• Believe in yourself and what you offer. There is only one you, and that is what distinguishes your business from everyone else. If you lined everyone up on the forum and had them clean a pane of glass, they’d all come out clean.
  (Enter snarky replies by those who think they’re the best.)

• Spend a little extra on really nice business cards that you are proud to hand out. It will encourage you to get out there and it feels good when ppl say, “Wow! I really like your card!”

• Set a minimum price for your storefronts and stick to it.

Don’t:

• Get discouraged.
• Buy the most expensive or glamourous tools.
• Clean toilets with your mouth open. (Trust me.)

Best regards!

[JaredAI]

Here you go

Getting started? Start here

There have been a lot of new guys joining WCR and asking how to get started. So I figured this might be a nice place for everyone to post and contribute instead of posting the same info every time someone joins. If you have specific questions, everyone is happy to give good advice, bad advice, or hijack your thread to argue about soap. We like to argue. There are a bajillion threads on this forum and the search button is your friend. It’s up in the corner and you will use it often. I do. You …

[JWilliams]

Welcome to the badlands

[Garry]

Hi and welcome. Even a small car can be outfitted with a roof rack and ladder. You would be surprised at how many homes you turn down because you don’t have a ladder. To save money starting out you can find a worthy ladder from a Pawn Shop.
Don’t fear the ladder. (Understand ladder safety!)

Just starting out you will hear a lot of “No” when chasing Store Front, especially when someone else is already servicing an area. When you do land them, give them excellent service.

Residential work will pay better but can be difficult to line enough up to be profitable at first - keep at it and when you land them give excellent service.

If tool storage in a small vehicle is a huge problem - it should not be starting out - then invest in a small trailer that you can secure your equipment with. THIEVES SUCK!

How much space is needed for towels, a couple buckets, 3 or 4 different size squeegee’s, a couple of poles, water, soap, white scrub pads, step stool, ladder strapped to the roof, and a positive can do attitude? You can do more than you think.